i hadn't noticed that. it does seem strange that Yumichika would just manifest a Zanpaktou before formally becoming a Shinigami. Ikkaku and Kenpachi, on the other hand, make a lot of sense. I feel that real warrior spirits like those two would naturally manifest weapons upon taking their spirit form.

Renji had no desire to fight until Rukia got adopted by the Kuchiki's. Even Rukia and Kira (Gin's vice) don't have that kind of bloodlust, love for battle, whatever you want to call it, that'd naturally summon the spirit of their Zanpaktou. Like I mentioned, the only one who it strikes me as weird as having a Zanpaktou prior to becoming a Shingami is Yumichika. But, who knows? Maybe he's secretly a sadist or something like that...

and it totally makes sense that if they can already manifest their Zanpaktous and (at least) one of them can stand toe to toe with a guy who just defeated a Captain, that they just get in after some kind of basic exam.

on that note, has the defeated 11th Squad Captain ever been mentioned? From the looks of the guys he left hanging around, he wasn't much to remember... I had thought Kenpachi killed him, but maybe that's not the case... Probably unimportant.